This paper reports breeding ecology of Blackbird(Turdus merula mandarinus) in Feixi County,Anhui Province from March to July of 1996.The bird nested in resident quarters earlier than in forests.In the case of breeding in forests,they neted on the trees at the edge of forests near pond.They were compatible with large birds such as heons.The parent-birds attacked violently anyone who contacted their young birds.There were only a few nestlings growing up to leave their nests.Survval rate was determined mainly by weather.The equation of the growth of body weight was W=77 3/[1+e -0 472(t-6 4) ].Compared with the other passerines,such as Blue-winged Pitta and Red-rumped Swallow,nestlings of Blackbird grew up rapidly,leaving their nest with lighter body mass.For the first time,Cuckoo was found laying egg in the nest of Blackbird in China.
展开▼
